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One of the key roles of a business leader is to engender trust amongst their team.

One exercise that we recommend to do this is called Stop/Start/Continue.

Stop/Start/Continue helps to build trust by having each participant communicate what each other needs to stop doing, start doing, and continue doing in order to achieve the business plan.

Instead of seeing this activity as one to judge or criticize other leaders, see it as a way to drive constructive communication and trust. Start/Stop/Continue is used to help everyone be more successful, which will lead to the growth of the business.

Start/Stop/Continue Exercise Steps

The process is simple:

1. Have the group sit together at a table. Pick someone to be the subject of the feedback. Everyone will go one-by-one to give feedback on what the individual needs to stop, start, and continue doing.

Then, the subject gets to answer the feedback by stating what they need to personally do in order to drive plan achievement.

Or

If the group is not at the point of their communication journey where they can have that open discussion, each team member can give their feedback anonymously.

In this case, each participant will write feedback for the others.

Next, the results are consolidated and handed out.

Every team member will report on the feedback they’ve been given. They will state what their intentions will be to improve.

An example of a individual’s Stop/Start/Continue actions.

2. Next, individuals can use their feedback to set annual goals based on what others told them what to stop doing, start doing, and continue doing. Again, annual goals are aligned to the plan.

3. This exercise can be repeated as many times as needed throughout the year. We recommend doing it before the business plan is deployed to ensure alignment.

Setting Your Team Up for Success

Other benefits of Start/Stop/Continue:

• This team building exercise revolves around the idea of each co-worker helping one another achieve success. This will engender trust within the workplace and will lead to a culture of growth.
• Doing this activity within a group setting helps each individual hear other’s input. Similarly, they will have an understanding of what each person thinks.
• This workplace activity will form an alignment between staff and the business plan. This will increase the chances of achieving the plan.
• As each participant buys-in to the activity, the entire team will be focused on improving and growing the business.

Remember, the success of your business starts and ends with a functional and engaged team. Don’t forget to talk about the real issues by embracing challenging conversations.

For more tips on how to improve your business, follow STUCK Coaching on LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.